10 Simple Activities to Develop Gratitude in Your Children

As parents, it can be frustrating when our kids show attitudes of ungratefulness and entitlement. We want them to express appreciation for the things they have and not complain about what they don’t have. It can be upsetting and even embarrassing when our kids are ungrateful. We want our kids to be thankful for what they have but what can we do?

When we put our focus on the blessings in our life and all we our thankful for, we are choosing not to think about all that upsets us and everything that’s unfair. But when we step back and practice gratitude we are choosing to focus our energy on the amazing blessings in our life instead. Our children can learn this too and just need a little bit of practice.

It doesn’t take a lot of time and effort but there are simple and quick activities that you can guide your children to do that will help them develop gratitude for the things that they already have. In turn this will bring more joy into their lives!

There are many ways for both kids and adults to practice gratitude but I want to share ten ideas that are simple, yet effective (and are honestly some of my favorites).

When we practice gratitude, we are forced to put our focus and energy on the things we are thankful for. And as we begin to think about all the blessings in our lives, the focus switches from thinking about what we don’t have to what we do have. That’s what our kids will be doing as they realize all the wonderful things they have and are thankful for!